Key result
Among surveyed OHCA survivors, 77% received outpatient follow-up, mostly by a cardiologist alone (80%), while 64% recommended involving other professionals and 61% advocated early review (<1 month).
Why the study?
Survivors of OHCA and family members face cognitive, physical, and mood difficulties, but dedicated UK follow-up pathways are lacking.
What are the experiences and recommendations of OHCA survivors and their families regarding post-discharge follow-up care?
Cross-Sectional (n=162)
What are the experiences and recommendations of OHCA survivors and their families regarding post-discharge follow-up care?
OHCA survivors and their families advocate for early, holistic, multidisciplinary follow-up care that addresses cognitive, emotional, and physical sequelae, highlighting gaps in current cardiology-focused follow-up pathways.
Unmet post-OHCA support needs persist for survivors and families; leaves open whether dedicated pathways improve outcomes.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive and physical difficulties are common in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA); both survivors and close family members are also at risk of developing mood disorders. In the UK, dedicated follow-up pathways for OHCA survivors and their family are lacking. A cohort of survivors and family members were surveyed regarding their experience of post-discharge care and their recommended improvements. METHOD: 123 OHCA survivors and 39 family members completed questionnaires during an educational event or later online. Questions addressed both the actual follow-up offered and the perceived requirements for optimal follow-up from the patient and family perspective, including consideration of timing, professionals involved, involvement of family members and areas they felt should be covered. RESULTS: Outpatient follow-up was commonly arranged after OHCA (77%). This was most often conducted by a cardiologist alone (80%) but survivors suggested that other professionals should also be involved (e.g. psychologist/counsellor, 64%). Topics recommended for consideration included cardiac arrest-related issues (heart disease; cause of arrest) mental fatigue/sleep disturbance, cognitive problems, emotional problems and daily activities. Most survivors advocated an early review (<1month; 61%). Most family members reported some psychological difficulties (95%); many of them (95%) advocated a dedicated follow-up appointment for family members of survivors. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of OHCA survivors advocated an early follow-up following hospital discharge and a holistic, multidimensional assessment of arrest sequelae. These results suggest that current OHCA follow-up often fails to address patient-centred issues and to provide access to professionals deemed important by survivors and family members.
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Mion et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) (n=162). Post-discharge follow-up care was evaluated on Experience of post-discharge care and perceived requirements for optimal follow-up. Among surveyed OHCA survivors, 77% received outpatient follow-up, mostly by a cardiologist alone (80%), while 64% recommended involving other professionals and 61% advocated early review (<1 month).
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